A small cross for a life lost

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 20 Feb 2018

This simple cross is a poignant reminder of one of the losses incurred during WWII. Deep in the heart of Hencliff Wood, this is the site where an airman lost his life after bailing out of his aircraft. Wellington Mk X, LN 293, was part of 12 Operational Training Unit, RCAF, based at Chipping Warden near Banbury. It was involved in a deception sortie over Normandy as a distraction for the main bomber raid elsewhere on the night of 25/6 August, 1944. On board were pilot W.O. J.R. Harvey RNZAF, Navigator Sgt. D.M. Paterson RCAF, Wireless Operator Sgt. W.E. Hankin RAFVR, Air Gunners Sgts. A. Blewett RAFVR and D.D. Evans RAFVR. The bomb aimer was a 28-year-old Canadian, Sgt. Frank Samuel Martin (1398507), and it is this site that commemorates him. Taking off at 20:10, the aircraft was returning from Normandy. It is believed they lost their way and were off the expected course, possibly using the River Avon for reference. At some point they ran into trouble. Reports are not clear - some mention being caught in searchlights and blinding the pilot or receiving 'friendly' fire, despite dropping two yellow flares recognisable to home forces. The end result was that the aircraft went into an uncontrollable dive. Harvey ordered the crew to bail out and Martin did so, along with Hankin. Both seem to have had their parachutes fouled, probably by wrapping around the tail, and they fell to their deaths. The tumbling aircraft came down near Uplands, close to Keynsham and a few miles further along, at 01:46. All the remaining crew perished. Local information recounts that Martin's body, without parachute, was found by a nine-year-old boy, and it was he who ensured the spot was not left to neglect. Many years later it was given a small cross and plaque. Pilot Harvey is buried in Carlisle (Dalston Road) cemetery; Paterson in Kingston-upon-Thames cemetery, and Martin was interred in Denham, Buckinghamshire. The main crash site was excavated in the 1980s.

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